20/05/2008 (Agence Europe) - In a press release issued on 13 May, the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) called for zero tolerance towards counterfeit medicines. This was very much the message it sent to the European Commission in its response to the consultation exercise opened in March to tackle this scourge: 2.7 million health products were seized at EU borders in 2006. The EPPIA repeated its call for a ban on repackaging medicines. The Federation also wants better a clearer picture of who is responsible for what along the supply chain, and heavier penalties for counterfeiting when it is a threat to public health. It also calls for an effective traceability system for medicines. (O.J.)